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☆ Opinion: Washington’s turmoil plays right into Putin’s hands
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Sheena Mckenzie | Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In the meantime, a top NATO official warned that the arsenal for supporting Ukraine is running low. Europeans, contrary to the claims of demagogues running for president, are spending heavily to support Ukraine. Their meeting erupted in a round of applause for the Russian president, with delegates shouting “Putin! He voted against four of five bills supporting Ukraine as it sought to defend itself from a Russian invasion, which is now in its 20th month. Asked if Ukraine would be able to fight without US military support, 37-year-old Olha said, “Of course, we will fight — but it will be many times bloodier.”

Persons: Frida Ghitis, you’ve, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Olha Hrubryna, she’s, ”, “, ” Volodymyr Kostiak, MAGA, Robert Fico, Rob Bauer of, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Donald Trump –, Josep Borrell, Joe Biden, Paul Krugman, Krugman, Trump, “ Putin, Oksana Markarova, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, firebrand Trump, he’s, Olha Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Republican, Frida Ghitis CNN, House Democrats, Ukraine, Capitol, NATO, European Union, Pro, Royal Dutch Navy, Soviet Union, European, Republican Party, New York Times, Political, firebrand, GOP Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Slovakia, Russian, China, Russia, United States, –, Europe

☆ EU accession: List of countries to join the bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

CANDIDATE COUNTRY STATUSTURKEY (candidate since 1999). While still officially a candidate country, Turkey's accession talks with the EU have long been frozen, largely over human rights and governance concerns. It was given the green light for accession talks in 2020 after changing its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia to satisfy Greek sensitivities. The small Balkan country applied for EU membership in 2008. Since 2016, the EU has had a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo that serves as a basis for its accession path.

Persons: Viktor Yanukovych, Jan Strupczewski, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Union, EU, NORTH, European Commission, Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Granada, TURKEY, NORTH MACEDONIA, Macedonia, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, MONTENEGRO, SERBIA, ALBANIA, EU, Albania, MOLDOVA, Moldova, UKRAINE, Kyiv, Russia, Ukraine, Crimea, BOSNIA, HERZEGOVINA, Bosnia, GEORGIA, Georgia, Tbilisi, KOSOVO, Brussels, Kosovo, Serbia

☆ Siemens is case study in China de-risking dilemma
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Pamela Barbaglia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

That’s unsettling for the likes of Siemens, $62 billion carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and $39 billion chemicals group BASF (BASFn.DE). Factor in the German group’s 32% stake in Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) and 75% holding in Siemens Healthineers (SHLG.DE), currently worth 46 billion euros, and it adds up to 156 billion euros. The unit and Siemens’ Airport Logistics unit, which press reports say could be another divestment candidate, may only be worth 4 billion euros combined. Moreover, Kaeser already tried to boost Siemens’ valuation by partially spinning off subsidiaries. As of September, Siemens had bought back 2.5 billion euros of shares since starting a 3 billion euro share repurchase programme in November 2021.

Persons: Roland Busch, France’s Legrand, Busch, Joe Kaeser, he’s, Kaeser, Germany’s Bundesbank, Siemens, Goldman Sachs, Judith Wiese, George Hay, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, Siemens, Germany’s, Barclays, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Volkswagen, BASF, Software, Dassault, Automation, ABB, Smart Infrastructure, Siemens Energy, Siemens ’ Mobility, France’s Alstom, CRRC Corporation, Siemens ’ Airport Logistics, Siemens Healthineers, Toshiba Corp, Energy, BNP, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Thomson Locations: China, Brussels, Beijing, Germany, EMEA, Swiss, Middle Kingdom, Republic, Shenzhen, Sichuan, Chengdu, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand

☆ Germany risks letting a good crisis go to waste
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Pierre Briancon | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Germany, the European Union’s largest economy and its traditional growth engine, is headed towards a contraction this year. Exports account for more than half of Germany’s GDP, compared to just a third in France and 37% in Italy, according to the World Bank. Germany’s growth potential is estimated at an annual 0.7% over the medium term by the Scope rating agency, about half the euro zone average. Exempting net public investment from the debt brake rule would help to reverse years of underspending. Unless they do, Europe’s leading economy risks letting a good crisis go to waste.

Persons: –, Hubertus Bardt, Germany’s, Carsten Brzeski, Oliver Rakau, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Christian Lindner’s, Sebastian Dullien, Scholz, Destatis, Francesco Guerrera, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, World Bank, EU, International Monetary Fund, Reuters Graphics Reuters, German Economic Institute, ING, Oxford Economics, BASF, Finance, Christian Democrats, Thomson Locations: Germany, Berlin, France, Italy, China –, Spain, Weimar Republic, China, Ukraine

The ramifications for global markets are significant, with Washington and Beijing's determination to loosen dependence on each other fraying long-established supply chains. Many central banks target 2% inflation; market gauges of traders' long-term U.S. and European inflation expectations are running higher , . Anna Rosenberg, head of geopolitics at the Amundi Investment Institute, said Sino-U.S. tensions, provide a "new lens" through which to analyse emerging markets' growth prospects. But the performance of big U.S. tech stocks and global share indices are vulnerable to signs of Chinese retaliation. With China underperforming global stocks, investors are split on how to approach this market.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Joe Biden, Goldman Sachs, Wouter Sturkenboom, Laura Alfaro, Anna Rosenberg, Christopher Rossbach, J, Stern, Carole Madjo, Wendy Liu, Baird, Patrick Spencer, Naomi Rovnick, Kripa Jayaram, Riddhima, Vineet, Sumanta Sen, Pasit, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, EMEA, APAC, Northern Trust, Reuters, Research, Harvard Business, Amundi Investment Institute, INDIA RUSH, Barclays reckons, EU, Apple, China, Barclays, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: West, China, Washington, Western, Germany, Northern, Europe, FRIENDSHORING Washington, Vietnam, Mexico, Mongolia, Philippines, Sino, U.S, India, Beijing, COVID, CHINA

☆ Biden says there's 'not much time' to keep aid flowing to Ukraine and Congress must 'stop the games'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Biden urged Congress to negotiate an aid package as soon as possible. "The vast majority of both parties — Democrats and Republicans, Senate and House — support helping Ukraine and the brutal aggression that is being thrust upon them by Russia," Biden said. The money later was approved separately, but opponents of Ukraine support celebrated their growing numbers. Then, on Saturday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., omitted additional Ukraine aid from a measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. Biden said that deal was made to keep the government running and he worked to reassure U.S. allies additional funding would be there.

Persons: Joe Biden, John McCain, Biden, Roosevelt, Kevin McCarthy, Josep Borrell, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, House . Florida Sen, Rick Scott, Scott, Mike Rogers, that's, you've, Rogers, Gregory Meeks, Zelenskyy, Meeks, Donald Trump Organizations: Tempe Center, Arts, Sunday, Ukraine, Russia, — Democrats, Republicans, Senate, House, White, Democrat, Republican, Union, Capitol, Ukrainian, House ., Alabama, House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon, Rep, House Foreign Affairs, FBI, IRS, Justice Department, Biden Locations: Tempe , Arizona, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, U.S, United States, Kentucky, House, House . Florida

☆ The world needs cheap electric cars. That spells trouble for Big Auto
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The world needs affordable EVs more than ever as electric cars will play a big role in hcelping countries cut planet-heating pollution. “When legacy [carmakers] talk about catching up to Tesla or catching up to the leading Chinese automakers, it’s difficult. It is by far the world’s biggest EV battery manufacturer and dominant in the supply and processing of many critical components needed to make the batteries. Global automakers have had little choice but to enter into joint ventures with Chinese EV and battery manufacturers. EU lawmakers have voiced concerns that government subsidies allow Chinese EV makers to keep prices artificially low, creating unfair competition for European rivals.

Persons: Henry Ford’s, carmaking, Jeff Kowalsky, ”, Gene Munster, Tesla, — Tesla, —, Patrick Hummel, Krisztian Bocsi, Ford, “ It’s, ” Dan Ives, Bill Pugliano, Daniel Röska, Bernstein, China …, Marco Rubio, “ They’re, Bill Ford, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria Organizations: London CNN —, Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Volkswagen, United, Getty, Deepwater Asset Management, Volkswagen Group, Audi, Porsche, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford, General Motors, International Energy Agency, Honda, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Benz, BMW —, Investment, UBS, EV, Atlas Public, VW, Bloomberg, Reuters, Twitter, Stellantis, Wedbush Securities, CNN, United Auto Workers, Refining, Global, Republican, European Union, EU, Jato Dynamics Locations: Europe, United States, Dearborn , Michigan, AFP, China, Japan, South Korea, Asia, US, Germany, ” Munster, Munster, Lansing , Michigan, Michigan, Beijing, America

☆ ‘Dark’ ships are faking their locations to move oil around the world — and it's likely worth billions of dollars
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Maritime technology company Windward identified the area as a hub for smuggling oil. Cargo ships and car ferries cross the Kerch Strait, an area of "dark activity," according to marine technology company Windward. So that's definitely moved that focus into, okay, I'm now going to manipulate that signal," he told CNBC by video call. This can be done in a number of ways, a Spire spokesperson told CNBC by email. "If you're in the insurance industry, and you're not paying attention to this, you really need to start paying attention," Swift told CNBC by video call.

Persons: John Lusk, Christopher Swift, Foley, Lardner, We're, Lusk, Ami Daniel, Daniel, Good Hope, Iain Goodridge, Spire's, that's, I'm, " Goodridge, OFAC, Swift Organizations: Windward, Europa Press, Getty, Maritime Organization, AIS, Spire Maritime, Government, CNBC, Russia, Anadolu Agency, Venezuela, Spire, U.S . Treasury Department Locations: Morocco, Maritime, Ukraine, U.S, Russia, Kerch, Windward, Arabian, Venezuela, The U.S, East Asia, Angola, Venezuela's, South Africa's, Good, China, Malaysia

Pipes for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea, which are not used, are seen in the harbour of Mukran, Germany, on September 30, 2022. Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline had accounted for 15% of Europe's gas imports in 2021, according to the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. A second Nord Stream 2 link was planned but never operated. "Our biggest risk was that Russia can manipulate our energy markets," EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson told Reuters. Across the EU, gas storage caverns are now 95% full, Gas Infrastructure Europe data show.

Persons: Pipes, Fabian Bimmer, Kadri Simson, SEB, Ole Hvalbye, Tom Marzec, Wood Mackenzie, Gergely Molnar, Jacob Mandel, Kate Abnett, Julia Payne, Nora Buli, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Reuters Graphics, EU Energy, Reuters, EU, SEB Commodities, Gas Infrastructure, International Energy Agency, Aurora Energy Research, Thomson Locations: Baltic, Mukran, Germany, Russia, BRUSSELS, OSLO, Europe, Ukraine, RUSSIA, Norway, United States, Russian, Greece, Poland, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, France, Reuters Graphics Germany, Belgium, Britain, Portugal, Spain, Paris, Brussels, Oslo

☆ Meloni’s Italian job is a lesson for EU’s right
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

This is particularly true of Meloni’s surprise decision in August to tax what she called “unjust profits” by domestic banks. Ill-fated tax credits for building renovations introduced by a previous executive are expected to balloon to up to 150 billion euros, UniCredit analysts reckon. That’s 30 billion euros higher than what the current government predicted in April, or around 1.5% of GDP. That’s Meloni’s biggest Italian lesson for parties like Vox and AfD. CONTEXT NEWSThe Italian Treasury will present new economic targets on Sept. 28, which will be the framework for the country’s 2024 budget.

Persons: Spain’s, Benito Mussolini’s “, Rome ”, Ursula von der Leyen, Meloni, Vladimir Putin, –, Silvio Berlusconi, Matteo Salvini – Meloni, ”, Mario Draghi’s, it’s, Giancarlo Giorgetti, Liz Truss, Meloni’s, Vox, Giorgia Meloni, Francesco Guerrera, Oliver Taslic Organizations: Reuters, NATO, European Union, EU, Commission, Economy, Italian Treasury, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Ukraine, Kyiv, China, Greece, Brussels, British, Italian

☆ EU trade chief says the outcome of China EV probe cannot be prejudged
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

About two weeks ago, the European Commission announced an investigation into government subsidies for EV makers in China. watch nowChina's electric car exports have surged in recent months. Homegrown Chinese electric car companies Nio , Xpeng and BYD are among those that have started to expand to Europe, but in relatively small numbers so far. More than two-thirds of China's electric car exports to Europe were from Tesla and other international brands manufacturing in China, according to HSBC. China's Ministry of Commerce was quick to criticize the EU investigation and called it a "blatantly protectionist act" that would distort the global auto industry.

Persons: Dombrovskis, Cui Dongshu, Wan Gang Organizations: BEIJING —, European, European Commission, EV, EU, World Trade Organization, Moody's, HSBC, Volkswagen, VW, China's Ministry of Commerce, China Passenger Car Association, Audi, Wan, Science, Technology, Ministry of Finance Locations: BEIJING, BEIJING — Europe, China, Beijing, Europe

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared anew over the weekend when some 30 heavily armed Serbs barricaded themselves in an Orthodox monastery in northern Kosovo, setting off a daylong gunbattle with police that left one officer and three attackers dead. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti accused Serbia of sending the attackers into Kosovo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied that, saying the men were Kosovo Serbs who have had enough of “Kurti’s terror.”A look at the history between Serbia and Kosovo, and why the latest tensions are a concern for Europe. Vucic, meanwhile, is a former ultra-nationalist who insists Serbia will never recognize Kosovo and insists that an earlier deal to give Kosovo Serbs a level of independence must first be implemented before new agreements are made. International officials still hope Kosovo and Serbia can reach a deal that would allow Kosovo to get a seat in the United Nations without Serbia having to explicitly recognize its statehood.

Persons: yeraslong, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Kurti, Vucic Organizations: European Union, Kosovo, Serbian, Kosovo Serbs, EU, Ottoman, NATO, Government, Russia's, International, United Nations Locations: BELGRADE, Serbia, Kosovo, U.S, West, Europe, SERBIA, KOSOVO, United States, Russia, China, Balkan, Yugoslavia, Belgrade, Mitrovica, Ukraine, European, Crimea, NATO, United, EU

“The strongest, yet not the only, headwind is Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and how China positions itself on this issue,” he said. Dombrovskis spoke before high-level economic and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. EU leaders have expressed concern about the bloc's growing trade deficit with China, which reached 396 billion euros last year. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that China provides a market-oriented, law-based business environment for foreign companies. “So it’s very difficult for us to understand China’s stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, as it breaches China’s own fundamental principles.”

Persons: Valdis Dombrovskis, ”, Dombrovskis, Ursula von der Leyen, Wang Wenbin, “ Organizations: BEIJING, Tsinghua University, EU, Ukraine, Lifeng, Tsinghua, Foreign Ministry, United Locations: China, Ukraine, Europe, EU, United States, Russian, Latvian

☆ UK regulator says it may clear Microsoft's new Activision Blizzard takeover offer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft submitted a new proposal to U.K. regulators for the takeover of American game publisher Activision Blizzard after its initial proposal was rejected. LONDON — The U.K.'s competition regulator on Friday said Microsoft 's restructured takeover proposal of Activision Blizzard , submitted in August, "opens the door to the deal being cleared." The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority had blocked the Redmond tech giant's initial $69 billion transaction, first put forward in January 2022, on concerns that it would restrict competition in the nascent cloud gaming sector. Critically, cloud gaming could eliminate the need for costly specialized consoles, allowing players to access the games on PCs, mobile phones and TVs. EU officials were first to clear the deal in May, after Microsoft offered concessions to the tune of royalty-free licenses to cloud gaming platforms to stream Activision games that a buyer has purchased.

Persons: —, Brad Smith, We're, Bobby Kotick Organizations: Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, LONDON, Competition, Markets Authority, Redmond, Activision PC, Activision, Ubisoft Entertainment, CMA, Ubisoft, Netflix, European Union, U.S . Federal Trade Commission Locations: San Francisco

☆ 'No one can blame you for backing Sequoia': It's a rough time to be raising as a solo venture capitalist in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Europe, often a few years behind when it comes to startup trends, is also starting to produce its own solo GPs. After a record-breaking 2021, bigger VC funds in Europe have generally found it more challenging to raise their next funds. Lots of fund managers speak to everyone and waste lots of time going over unqualified leads," she said. In short, knowing who to pitch for investment is crucial when looking to raise funds. One advantage for solo funds in Europe is that smaller funds — often $15 million to $20 million — are easier to return than larger funds, said David Cruz e Silva, an angel investor and LP in smaller VC funds through EU.VC.

Persons: Gloria Baeuerlein's, Robin, Robin Capital, Sarah Drinkwater's, Harry Stebbings, Annelie Ajami, there's, VCs, Ramzi Rafih, Rafih, Carolina Huaranca, Joe Schorge, Masha Butler, Sam Altman's, Butler, David Cruz e Silva, Ajami Organizations: Ventures, London, KKR, Silver, Close, Sequoia, Day One Ventures Locations: America, Sand, Europe, profligacy, Dubai, Carolina, San Francisco, Swiss, London, EU.VC

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Arm’s spectacular day lends helping hand to banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Yeo Boon Ping | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. The long reach of ArmArm shares surged almost 25% on its first day of trading on New York's Nasdaq, and a further 6% in extended trading. "ECB interest rates have reached levels that … will make a substantial contribution to the timely return of inflation to the target," the bank's council said. Focus on the coreThe U.S. producer price index, which measures wholesale prices, rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in August — far more than the 0.4% estimate — and 1.6% from a year earlier.

Persons: Rene Haas, —, Berkshire Hathaway, Yun Li Organizations: Arm Ltd, Nasdaq, CNBC, U.S, Dow Jones, EU, ECB, PPI, HP Warren, HP Locations: New York, U.S

☆ Asian stocks climb as traders shrug off inflation surprise
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Tom Westbrook | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Fed funds futures hardly budged on the inflation data, and imply nearly no chance of a rate hike next week, and about a 45% chance of another hike by year's end. The S&P 500 (.SPX) rose 0.1% and futures rose 0.2% in Asia. European futures were flat. The euro has been supported this week by creeping expectations for the European Central Bank to hike rates on Thursday, though analysts say it may struggle for further gains. The New Zealand dollar was also firmer at $0.5941, while the dollar slipped about 0.2% to buy 147.11 yen .

Persons: Androniki, Glenn Yin, HSI, Brent Donnelly, it's, Kazuo Ueda, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, Rights, European Central Bank, Tokyo's Nikkei, Treasury, ., New, AETOS Capital Group, Arm Holdings, EU, Spectra Markets, New Zealand, Bank of Japan, Brent, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, New York, Melbourne, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Australia

☆ 'Blatantly protectionist': China sharply rebukes EU probe on Chinese EV subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesChina has accused the European Union of "blatant protectionism" after its executive arm unexpectedly launched an "anti-subsidy" investigation into China's electric vehicle makers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry urged dialogue to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies and commit to global efforts to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality. If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing. "If the EU finds harm from Chinese subsidies, Brussels is likely to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs despite the risk of political and economic backlash from Beijing." EU members are demanding the regional bloc shield European carmakers from Chinese EVs that they say are heavily subsidized by the Chinese government.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen Organizations: Visual China, Getty, European Union, Chinese Commerce Ministry, CNBC, EU, Beijing . Eurasia, of, Eurasia Group Locations: Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China, EU, Brussels, Beijing, U.S, Europe, Strasbourg

European markets opened mixed on Thursday as investors in the region look ahead to the European Central Bank's next rate decision. Autos fell 1.4% as initial optimism over an EU probe into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies soured over fears of retaliatory action. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had forecast an increase of 3.6%. The core consumer price index, which excludes food and energy and is closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, rose by 0.3% on the month and 4.3% on the year. Economists polled by Dow Jones signaled rises of 0.2% and 4.3%, respectively.

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: Central Bank's, EU, ECB, U.S . Department of Labor, Federal

☆ EU to assess whether to hit Chinese electric cars with tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The European Commission started an investigation on Wednesday to assess whether the European Union needs to impose tariffs to protect itself against Chinese electric vehicle producers benefiting from state subsidies. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual address to the bloc's parliament. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. "So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, Von der Leyen, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Gabriela Baczynska Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, European Commission, Thomson Locations: Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, China, Europe

☆ VIEW Reactions to EU probe of Chinese electric cars imports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. "So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. UK TRADE MINISTER KEMI BADENOCH"I think it just highlights the difficulties that all countries are having with the supply chain for electric vehicles. "China's apparent advantage and cost-competitive imports are already impacting European auto makers' domestic market share, with a massive surge in electric vehicle imports in recent years. At the same time, the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is also a game-changer in the electric vehicle value chain.

Persons: Annegret, URSULA VON DER, LAURENCE BOONE, BRUNO LE MAIRE, Von der, KEMI BADENOCH, MATTEO SALVINI, SIGRID DE VRIES, AIWAYS, ALEXANDER KLOSE, Aiways, KINGSMILL, they've, They've, STUART COLE, AJ BELL, DANNI HEWSON, Josephine Mason, Catherine Evans, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, European Commission, European Union, FRENCH FINANCE, EU, League, GENERAL, Volkswagen, BMW, Tesla, INSTITUTE SENIOR, CITI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, China, Europe, Brussels

☆ Gas markets are becoming 'extremely difficult' to predict. It's a big problem for Europe this winter
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Aerial view of the LNG storage and vaporization vessel "Höegh Esperanza" at the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal. European gas markets have been constantly fluctuating in recent months, owing to extreme heat, maintenance at gas plants and, most recently, industrial action at major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia. "Gas markets are becoming riskier — gas and LNG prices are increasingly volatile and greatly affected by global factors," Jaller-Makarewicz said. The EU reached its target of filling gas storage facilities to a 90% capacity roughly 2 1/2 months ahead of its Nov. 1 deadline. It means that we've got a pretty good buffer," Malek said, referring to Europe's filling of its gas storage facilities.

Persons: Ana Maria Jaller, seesaw, Makarewicz, Christyan Malek, Malek, CNBC's, we've, Filippo Monteforte Organizations: Getty Images Energy, Workers, LNG, Makarewicz Energy, Institute for Energy Economics, Gas, EU, Gas Infrastructure, International Energy Agency, European Union, Eurasia Group, JPMorgan, Afp, Getty Locations: Wilhelmshaven, Australia, Western Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, Asia, Europe, U.S, skyrocketing, Gas Infrastructure Europe, wean, Ukraine, Eurasia, Tuscany

☆ EU Parliament passes bill hiking renewable energy targets
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The law significantly raises the EU's renewable energy targets, requiring 42.5% of EU energy to be renewable by 2030, replacing a current 32% target for that date. It faced a tough passage through negotiations among EU countries' governments, and only secured support after France won carve-outs for nuclear energy - which is low-carbon, but not renewable. EU countries and lawmakers had negotiated a deal on the renewable energy law in March which was supposed to be final, but was held up by countries seeking greater recognition of nuclear power. A Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday it was aware of the difficulties and was in touch with renewable energy manufacturers to discuss possible solutions. Europe got 22% of its energy from renewable sources in 2021, the latest year for which official EU data are available.

Persons: Pascal Rossignol, Markus Pieper, Pieper, Kate Abnett, Ed Osmond, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Union, France, European, EU, Thomson Locations: Bevillers, France, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, Brussels, China, Europe

☆ Europe's economy threatened by extreme heat, fires and floods
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Olesya Dmitracova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Mounting climate risks, illustrated by the extreme heat, wildfires and floods that ravaged parts of Europe this summer, could hurt the region’s economy as soon as this year, the European Commission warned Monday. In its latest economic forecast, the European Union’s executive arm downgraded its predictions for growth in the region in 2023 and 2024. But it added that there was “formidable uncertainty” over its latest forecast, with extreme weather among the “downside” risks. Construction and manufacturing are among other economic sectors vulnerable to extreme heat, said Owen at Saltmarsh Economics. Similarly to the European Commission, on Sunday the International Monetary Fund pointed to “grave risks to economic well-being” from climate change.

Persons: ” David Owen, Kyle Holland, Owen, Kristalina Georgieva Organizations: London CNN, European, European Travel Commission, CNN, Saltmarsh, Bank of Italy, Sunday, International Monetary, Group Locations: Europe, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Spain, India

☆ Europe has dodged Putin’s gas bullet. But it’s still thirsty for cheap energy
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

For Europe, energy security has always been a trade-off: Cheap, imported energy comes with the risk of dependency on the countries from which it originates. Europe had an especially mild winter while governments and citizens made a concerted effort to use less gas. Despite these efforts, officials and analysts are fearful that however impressive these advancements have been, Europe’s energy is far from secure in the long term. And when it comes to energy security, dependency ultimately brings us back to that classic trade-off: economics versus risk. China is not the only threat when it comes to energy security in Europe.

Persons: guzzled, Vladimir Putin, –, Sean Gallup, Koen van Weel, ”, Milan Elkerbout, Kevin Frayer, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der, Adam Bell, it’s, Ursula von der, Yves Herman, Velina Tchakarova, ” Tchakarova Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, European Union, EU, Getty, Center for European Policy Studies, China . Workers, China Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Moscow, European, Lubmin, Germany, Port, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Qatar, Nigeria, China, Huainan, Anhui province, Brussels, Beijing, Belgium, Taiwan, cyberattacks . China, Saudi Arabia, Khazakstan, Libya

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